By Marianne Beach, for GALTime The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing—meaning it’s time for some spring cleaning. But we’re not talking about clearing out your closet or freshening up your house. Nope, we're talking about spring cleaning your love life. Yes, you heard me. It’s time to wash that guy right out of your hair.
You may remember the crappy ex in question — the one who broke up with me over IM, stole a painting he'd given me as a present and generally made me feel like total crap for several months. Our breakup was quick and sharp (over IM, after all), but the months leading up to it were painful and heartbreaking. He was miserable and so was I.
A recent Wake Forest University study analyzed the emotions of 1000 young men and women after a breakup and found that men are more reactive when a relationship ends. The researcher speculates that a crumbling relationship dents the male ego and causes him to question his self-worth more than women in similar situations. We asked 5 guys what they think about this study and how they get over breakups.
A new study says it takes the typical person 17 months and 26 days to feel ready to move on after a divorce, which got me thinking: How long does it take to get over a regular ol’ breakup (you know, one that doesn’t require lawyers)? Is there a mathematical equation? Does it matter if he or she was your first love?
Ending a relationship wreaks havoc emotionally and physically. Taking on some healthy new habits can help your broken heart have a speedy recovery.
We are both graphic designers. Well, I was one before Yakov undid me. The disparity in our personal net worth (due, no doubt, to mere differences of age, experience, intelligence and talent) was such that I decided, albeit subconsciously, to devote the twelve hours a day that I had selfishly reserved for my own career entirely to Yakov's. This included a campaign of public relations that would make Michael Ovitz look like a Vermont housewife, and resulted in several magazine articles, a major book deal, and an impressive client roster that oddly resembled my own. At one juncture, I was concerned that lending him two thousand dollars to start his art magazine, pay his rent, and things like that might "damage our relationship" if this debt went unpaid. My then-psychiatrist had an interesting idea. Why not just give him the money? After a year and a half of qualified bliss, we broke up. I had the funny feeling that he was, um, using me.
